The North West Hospital and Health Service is excited to welcome Senior Dental Officer, Thrivalen Naidoo to the team.

Thrivalen brings a wealth of knowledge with over 20 years experience in oral health.

Thrivalen relocated from South Africa to Australia in 2008 and has worked with Western Australian Health Services, New South Wales Health as well as in his own private practice.

“The move wasn’t a big transition for me since the weather, landscape and diversity is very similar to Australia,” he said.

North West HHS Principal Dentist, Rachael Seadon said having Thrivalen was a massive win for the HHS.

“We haven’t had a Cloncurry-based dentist in more than 16 years, so we are very excited to have Thrivalen on board. He’s a very experienced clinician and a really great chap!” she said.

Thrivalen has worked in Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond and will now be adding Mount Isa and Cloncurry to the list of regional locations he has serviced.

“I chose to come to the North West as I have heard about the friendly people and laidback lifestyle,” he said.

“There is a huge need for medical and dental services in the North West and I feel proud to do what I can to serve the local communities.”

Thrivalen has also worked with both Griffith University and James Cook University supervising final year dental students.

Outside of general dentistry, Thrivalen has a keen interest in forensics and is currently completing his Masters in Forensic Medicine through Monash University and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Thrivalen will be working from Mount Isa Hospital on a Monday and Tuesday and in Cloncurry on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until the end of the year. Thereafter, he will be focusing on services in Cloncurry and Julia Creek.